Our Difference

We believe the poor and marginalized are trapped in their situations as a result of dysfunctional spiritual, social, and physical dynamics. Our process to cultivate sustainable change starts by:

Identifying

We begin by identifying and forming relationships with people who have a vibrant, personal Christian faith. These local leaders are integrated in the local church and support locally based programs.

Equipping

We equip Christian leaders
who are already serving in their own countries to help provide powerful local solutions that bring creative and sustainable change to both individuals
and communities.

Sustaining

After the leader is identified and equipped, that person is resourced to implement sustainable solutions that provide a thriving environment for the community.

Our Story

In the early 1970s, International Needs founder Ray Harrison attended a worldwide evangelism conference and left inspired by church leaders to create strategic change for worldwide ministry.

Ray's vision was simple. Rather than sending missionaries to foreign countries, Ray pictured an organization that would walk alongside Christian leaders who are already effectively ministering in their own countries and equip them with the means and resources to support and empower them to carry out their work in their communities. Through this vision, International Needs was born.

While many mission centric organizations have followed IN’s example since its foundation in 1974, Ray Harrison's vision was radical and transformed mission work as it was previously known.

Today, International Needs' worldwide partners seek God's guidance to develop ministry plans that are specific to each country and the local communities within it.

Because each community is unique, solutions are tailored to needs indicated from local leaders within each community. Ministry programs vary and are built upon a communicated need from our partners. International Needs USA is proud to work with local ministries serving in Bangladesh, Colombia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Kenya, Nepal, Philippines, Romania, Slovakia, Turkey, Uganda, Vietnam, and Zambia.

Our Core Values

Faith

We embody our Christian faith as the cornerstone principle of all we do at International Needs because it is by God's grace that we're able to do the work we do.

Commitment

We commit to long term support of our programming within our partner countries and their leaders. We value the security and sustainability of our ongoing partnership.

Collaboration

We strive to work relationally and in partnership with our country leaders, donors, churches, and corporate partners. We value the piece each of us provides in the transformation process.

Transformation

We cultivate programs that create opportunities to individuals, families, and communities to grow spiritually, physically, and socially.

Empowerment

We support indigenous development of country specific programs. We recognize the uniqueness and power of local leaders serving within their own countries.

Stewardship

We are committed to embodying sound Biblical principles in our programming, fundraising, and financial practices.

Our Financials

Our Team

Leadership

Jeff Johnson

President

Jeff has a compassionate heart and a strong faith in Jesus Christ. He started his career in the healthcare administration field and then transitioned into full-time ministry in the year 2000. Jeff and his wife Danette spent eight years serving in various areas of compassion related ministry throughout Africa, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe. Under Jeff’s leadership, the IN USA team works to provide resources for ministry partners in 17 countries.

Rick Kamminga

Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration

Rick keeps the many parts of International Needs moving smoothly. His background in retirement community management and time as an INUS board member give him a unique set of skills and a fresh ministry perspective.

Sarah Lundberg

Director of Marketing and Operations

Sarah puts her creative skills to use on a variety of marketing materials for International Needs, including print materials, publications, and the website. She has been involved in many areas of the ministry since she joined the staff in 2005.

Jodie Arroyo

Special Projects and Programs Manager

Jodie connects with our partners around the world to gather and track project and program details. If you have a question about a program or project, Jodie usually knows the answer!

Terry Heyward

Regional Director

Terry uses her passion for telling others all that God is doing around the world by visiting churches across the United States with national Christians visiting the US. Under her guidance, churches are able to more effectively partner with IN field ministries.

Trent Allen

Development Officer

Trent is a passionate communicator and administrator who loves seeing people reach their full God given potential. He has a degree from Grand Valley State University in Non-profit Administration and a minor in Religious Studies. His standard of excellence and determination to do everything to the glory of the Lord has allowed him to help many individuals and organizations make more efficient and sustainable decisions.

Sally VanderVeen

Global Ministry Team Coordinator and Financial Data Entry Coordinator

Sally facilitates mission trips of all kinds between the vast range of International Needs countries and also uses her expertise in the field of data management to oversee key areas of administration, including deposits, data entry, and receipting.

Chris VanRegenmorter

Financial Coordinator

Chris oversees accounting and financial aspects of the ministry, closely monitoring project funds to ensure that the resources needed are available.

Heather Little

Sponsorship Coordinator

Heather plays a critical role in our sponsorship program, using her past experience and passion for children to ensure this program meets the needs of children, students, and workers in our partner ministry countries.

Kelly Lundberg

Sponsorship Coordinator

Kelly uses her tracking and organizational skills to make sure sponsors receive their letters from their children and also, the sponsored children receive the letters from their sponsors. She works with the Sponsorship Team to handle all things related to sponsorship of children, worker support, and reporting. She traveled to Kenya in 2017 with International Needs and loves working with our national partners.

Julie Dyk

Sponsorship Coordinator

Julie brings a background in marketing to International Needs. Her attention to detail is an important asset as she facilitates church planter and community worker support and communication for International Needs.

Rody Rodeheaver

President Emeritus

Rody has dedicated his life to ministry, serving in youth ministry and the local church.
As President Emeritus, Rody helps connect and engage people who are passionate about International Needs. He served as president and CEO for 17 years with energy, enthusiasm, and integrity. Rody, with the constant support of his wife Kathy, led INUS into an ever-growing ministry both in size and effectiveness. Rody has developed deep personal friendships with Christians around the world where God has used him to strongly impact the lives of many.